Pipe-line cleaner



Jan. 1, 194s. J HALL 2,392,144

' PIPE LINE CLEANER Filed May, 29, 1945 l INVENTOR.

deas@ H4# -cleaner propels it through the line.

Patented Jan. l, 1946 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFEicE rlrnmm CLEANER Jesse E. Hall, Weatherford, Tex. Application May 29, isis, serial No. 489,046

3 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in pipe line cleaners, commonly called swabs or go-devils. A

Pipe line cleaners are usually made up of a plurality of spaced flexible rubber discs mounted on an elongated central body. The discs have a pressure tight ilt with the interior surface of the pipe so that fluid pressure in the line behind the Swabs are usually used to clean accumulated deposits such as sand, wax, rust and incrustations from the line. It is also conventional practice to insert a swab in a line between different grades or types of fluids passing therethrough to prevent intermingling.

As the swab travels through the line it clears the line of incrustations and agitates deposits which are removed as suspensions in the fluid. The deposits are usually in the form of sediment in the bottom of the line. The distribution of the deposits inthe bottom of the pipe causes the lower portions of the discs to be abraded much more rapidly than the other portions. As a result, the discs become unsymmetrical and must be replaced much sooner than would otherwise be necessary.

It is essential that the rubber discs be relatively stiff in order that the swab operate eiciently. The discs in their travel through the line are subjected to distortion and bending particularly when passing through curved or constricted sec- 5? tions of the line. Repeated bending of the stiff rubber disc adjacent the flanges which clamp them to the body soon causes the discs to rupture, split or break, making it necessary to frequently replace them. This condition is particularly aggravated just above the clamping flanges.

In addition to the above, it is very dilcult to remove a conventional swab from the pipe line due to formation of a vacuum behind the swab as it is drawn through the outlet.

An important object of my invention is to provide a pipe line swab that rotates as it moves through the line, thus eliminating uneven wear of the discs and materially increasing their life span.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tion and wherein like numerals are employed to swab of the above mentioned character wherein the anges clamping the discs, to the body provide chambers into which the compressed disc material flows when the device passes through a curved or constricted portion of the line, thus relieving the stresses which cause cracking and splitting of the discs.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a pipe line swab that is uniquely constructed designate like .parts throughout the same.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pipe line swab embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.'l, 1

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the s swab embodying my invention passing through a curved section of the pipe line.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is. shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral I0 designates a plurality of rubber discs held in xed spaced relation on a tubular body II by spacer sleeves I2. The foremost and rearmost of the sleeves I2 are threaded on the ends of body Il and hold the sleeves pressed together and against the discs l0. The

foremost sleeve is normally held stationary by a bolt I3 which extends transversely therethrough and fits in notches or recesses in the front end of body I I. The rearmost sleeve is held in place by a cotter pin I 4.

The body II shoulda be of suicient length to bridge any opening into the line. I prefer that the device have atleast three discs I0 since this provides more satisfactory operation and results preventing canting of the device in the line and loss of contact between theY peripheries of the discs and the interior surface of the line. The device is here shown with three discs, although it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of discs can be mounted on the body if desired.

The sleeves I2 adjacent discs I Il are formed with radial flanges I2a which securely hold or clamp the discs to the body. The faces of the flanges I2a adjacent the discs are concave to provide chambers I5 into which the flexible material of the discs flows when the discs are compressed. Flanges I2a supporting the foremost disc I0 are of lesser diameter than theflanges of the other discs in order to permit greater flexibility of the foremost disc and facilitate passage of the swab In order to make the device rotate and at the same time clean deposits or incrustrations from the inside surface of the pipe as it passes through, I provide between discs I collars I'l which carry flexible wire whiskers I8 of suillcient length to contact the interior surface of the pipe. Collars Il have down-turned edges which fit against shoulders on sleeves I2. Whiskers I8 are springmounted and extend tangentially from collars il. The flexible tangentialrmounting of the whiskers and their'contact with the interior causes the device to rotate as it passes therethrough. Furthermore, the outer ends of the whiskers scratch against and remove incrustations and deposits from the inner surface of the line.

In operation, the device is inserted into a pipe I l in the manner shown in Fig. 1. Discs I Il are slightly larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe and their peripheries Illa are tapered to compensate for backward flexing of the discs when pushed into the line. The peripheries of the discs should snugly fit the inner surface of the pipe if an efficient cleaning action is to be obtained. The flexible wire whiskers I8 which make up the scratcher units are also flexed or bent upon being inserted into the pipe, and thereafter press against the inner surface of the pipe with sufficient force to effectively remove incrustations and produce rotation of the swab.

When fluid under pressure is admitted in the pipe line behind the swab, it enters body II through its open rear end and closes valve I6. The liquid pressure acting behind the discs and body propels the swab through the line. The

device vis usually sent from one pumping station to another, although it distance.

Abrasion of the peripheries of the discs reduces their diameters and renders them relatively ineffective after short periods of use. The tangentially extending wire whiskers or scratcher units cause the swab to constantly rotate, thus assuring even wearing of the discs. Present day swabs may be sent any desired do not rotate and as a consequence the discs are unevenly worn. However, I have found that if the discs arcevenly worn their period of usefulness `is substantially increased; When they no longer press against the pipe with the requisite pressure they can be expanded by insertion of suitable shims 20. The diameter of the shlms is governed by the amount which it is desired to expand the discs.

Referring now to Fig. 4 it will be observed that when the swab passes through a curved section of the pipe I9, the upper portions of the front and rear discs and the lower portion of the middle .by the swab is rotated on disc are bent back abruptly. This continued distortion oi' the discs causes deterioration and cracking and splitting adjacent the tops oi the flanges. By providing iiow chambers II, I have substantially eliminated this difficulty and disc failure. 'I'he discs compress and thicken when subjected to radial pressure and part of the flexible material retracting toward the bodyv and flowing into chambers I5. 'I'his relieves stresses in the discs at the edges of flanges I 2a.

To remove the swab from the pipe line the operator grasps bail 2| and pulls it through an outlet. As a vacuum forms behind the swab, valve I8 is automatically opened so that the pressures in i'ront and behind the swab are equaiiaed through ports I2c, and the swab is then easily removed.

It is to be understood that the swab shown in the drawing is to be considered as a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts is contemplated and may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope oi' the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pipe line swab an elongated central body, discs of iiexible material mounted at spaced intervals on the body adapted to have a pressure tight fit with the interior surface of the pipe line. sleeves xedly mounted on the body at opposite sides of the discs, said sleeves formed with rigid radial flanges having their peripheries positioned in opposed relation and against the sides of the discs to hold them stationary on the body, the flange surfaces confronting the discs being concave to provide closed flow chambers into which the` material of the discs flows when said discs are radially compressed. l

2. In a pipe line swab the combination of an elongated body, spaced apart propulsion discs of flexible material mounted on said body, a plurality of Wire whiskers of a length to scratch the interior of the pipe, said whiskers attached to the body and having coils formed therein adjacent the body producing resilient mountings therefor, the free ends of the individual whiskers extending substantially tangentially and rearwardly from the body in a manner simulating substantially the trajectory of objects thrown from the surface of the body were the body rotated, whereits longitudinal axis as it passes through the pipe.

3. In a pipe line swab an elongated body, spaced apart propulsion discs mounted on said body, sleeves mounted on the body adjacent both sides of the discs to position the discs on the body, said sleeves having concave surfaces confronting and supporting the discs intermediate their peripheries providing closed ow chambers to receive the material of the discs when the discs are radially compressed.

JESSE E. HALL. 

